News

Optimism at Key Stage 1 test results

THE county councillor formerly in charge of Oxfordshire schools said he expected improved test results for seven-year-olds when they are published today.

Michael Waine was cabinet member for schools improvement until Melinda Tilley took over the role last year and is now chairman of the children’s
services scrutiny committee.

In 2010, Key Stage 1 results were lower in Oxford City Council ’s boundaries than anywhere else in England, while Key Stage Two results were
in the bottom 10 per cent.

In October last year, Key Stage 1 test results showed Oxford schools remained bottom for writing but made slight improvements in maths and reading.

The following month a six-point schools improvement plan was introduced by the council.

Speaking at the scrutiny meeting at County Hall in Oxford yesterday, Mr Waine said: “I am confident we will see an improvement in Key Stage 1 results, but not sure how they will compare with our
neighbours.”

He added that teaching staff should be praised for achieving a significant improvement in Key Stage 2 results for 10 and 11-year-olds this year.

Last week, Department for Education figures showed that 82 per cent of pupils achieved the Government benchmark of level 4 in English and maths at Key Stage 2.